The Boston Red Sox have a chance to win their series against the Cleveland Indians, and they switched up the lineup for the occasion.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, center fielder Mookie Betts and left fielder Hanley Ramirez all are riding the pine for Wednesday’s contest. Brock Holt will shift to shortstop and bat second, while Josh Rutledge plays second base and bats ninth. Jackie Bradley Jr. will take Betts’ place in center field and bat seventh, and Alejandro De Aza will slot into left field and lead off.
Acting Red Sox manager Torey Lovullo said before the game rest was the reason for sitting Bogaerts, Betts and Ramirez.
Ryan Hanigan also will catch in Blake Swihart’s place and bat eighth.
Joe Kelly will start for the Red Sox, and the right-hander will be looking to build upon his last outing against the Seattle Mariners. Kelly allowed just one run — on a first-inning home run from Kyle Seager — while striking out six and walking two in Boston’s 15-1 win.
Here are both team’s lineups for Wednesday’s matchup.
RED SOX (53-66)
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Brock Holt, SS
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Travis Shaw, 1B
Rusney Castillo, RF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Josh Rutledge, 2B
Joe Kelly, RHP (5-6, 5.69 ERA)
INDIANS (55-63)
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Michael Brantley, DH
Carlos Santana, 1B
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Yan Gomes, C
Abraham Almonte, CF
Gionvanny Urshela, 3B
Jose Ramirez, LF
Corey Kluber, RHP (8-12, 3.34 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
